Proposals humbly offer'd to the consideration of the honourable House of Commons, for laying a poll-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. for one year and a poundage-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. that shall be bought or sold in England. Also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measures whatsoever; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen. Smith, John, writer on taxation. 1670 Approx. 21 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 8 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A93378 Wing S4128A ESTC R231575 99896842 99896842 137079 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A93378) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 137079) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2448:23) Proposals humbly offer'd to the consideration of the honourable House of Commons, for laying a poll-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. for one year and a poundage-tax on all horses, mares, geldings, &c. that shall be bought or sold in England. Also an annual imposition or duty on all weights and measures whatsoever; as likewise on all shopkeepers and tradesmen. Smith, John, writer on taxation. [2], 12 p. s.n., [London : 1670?] Signed on p. 12: John Smith. Reproduction of original in the Folger Shakespeare Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. 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Tax collection -- Early works to 1800. 2007-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-05 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-12 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2008-12 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2009-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion PROPOSALS Humbly offer'd to the Consideration of The Honourable House of Commons , For laying a POLL-TAX On all Horses , Mares , Geldings , &c. for one Year ; And a POUNDAGE-TAX On all Horses , Mares , Geldings , &c. that shall be Bought or Sold in England . ALSO An Annual Imposition or Duty ON ALL WEIGHTS and MEASVRES whatsoever ; As likewise On all Shopkeepers and Tradesmen . PROPOSALS Humbly offerded to the Consideration of the Honourable HOUSE of COMMONS for laying a Poll-Tax on all Horses , Mares , Geldings , &c. for one Year ; and a Poundage-Tax on all Horses , Mares , Geldings , &c. that shall be bought or sold in England : Also an Annual Imposition or Duty on all Weights and Measures whatsoever ; as likewise on all Shopkeepers and Tradesmen . I. THAT there may be a Tax or Duty , by way of Poll , laid on all Horses , Mares , Geldings , &c. that are upwards of five Years old ; and valued to be worth five pounds . II. That all Noblemen , Gentlemen and others , who keep Horses , &c. either for the Coach , Saddle , Waggon , Cart , Dray , Plow , or any other use whatsoever , shall be obliged to cause the same to be given an account of , to the proper Persons appointed for that purpose , upon the penalty of forfeiting to His Majesty , with encouragement to the Informer . III. That all Noblemen , Gentlemen and others , may , for each pare of Coach-Horses &c. they have , pay as a Tax to His Majesty , the sum of eight shillings , ( provided such Nobleman , Gentleman , or other Person , does not keep above eight Coach Horses , &c. ) which said sum may be collected and paid at two several payments , ( or otherwise ) viz. IV. That all Noblemen , Gentlemen and others , who keep Horses , &c. for the Saddle , may , for each Horse , &c. he or they so keep , pay as a Tax to His Majesty , the sum of four shillings , which said sum shall be collected and paid as aforesaid , provided each Horse , &c. is valued to be worth five pounds . V. That all Horses , &c. employed in Waggons , all Pack Horses , &c , all Stage or Hackney Coach Horses , &c. Plow , Cart , Dray Horses , &c. and all Oxen employed at Plow , Cart , &c. ( where Horses are commonly made use of ) shall pay to His Majesty , for each Horse , &c. ( or Oxen ) so employed , or any other way made use of , the sum of four shillings per Horse , &c. ( or Oxen ) to be paid as aforesaid , provided the said Horses , &c. are valued to be worth five pounds each . VI. That no Nobleman , Gentleman or others , shall be obliged to pay for any young Horse , &c. he or they bred out of their own stock , provided the same has not been made use of , or kept in the Stable three Months , except the same be above five Years old . VII . That no Nobleman , Gentleman , or other Person whatsoever , shall be obliged to pay for more than eight Horses , &c. how many soever they , or either of them have ; which said Horses , &c. shall be Assessed as aforesaid . Object . The Noblemen and Gentlemen may alledge , this Poll Tax will be paid mostly by them and the Country People , by reason , most of the indifferent People , ( and some great Traders ) as well as the more ordinary sort of Traders of London and other Cities , have not such occasion for Horses , and therefore consequently will be excluded the said Tax . Answ . There are many Traders in London , as well as other Cities in England , who keep Horses , &c. and will come into the said Tax ; but if they were all excluded this , there are other ways enough to Tax the Traders of London , &c. ( tbere being no Tax to be laid but what the Trading People must be a considerable part of it ) when the Country Gentlemen and Farmers may be excluded wholly : And this will plainly appear by the following Part on Weights and Measures , &c. ( which will over-ballance the inequallity of the foregoing Proposals ) That being wholly on the Trading People , and proposed to be continued Annually , which in proportion to the abilities of the Gentlemen , &c. and the Trading People of England , will be heavier on the latter , than it will be on the former . VIII . It is further Proposed to this Honourable House . That there may be a Poundage Tax laid on all Horses , &c , that shall be bough or sold in the Kingdom of England , &c. from and after the Day of viz. IX . That all and every Horse or Horses , &c. which shall be bought or sold in any Market or Fair in England , &c. shall be registred by the Town Clerk , or some other Person appointed for that purpose , with the Names and places of abode of the buyer and seller : The buyer paying six pence per pound for each Horse , &c. he shall so buy ; and he that neglects so to do shall forfeit to His Majesty , with encouragement to the Informer . X. That all , or any Person or Persons , who shall buy any Horse or Horses , &c. of a private Person , or not in any Fair or Market , shall be obliged to pay the Poundage , and cause the same to be Registred in seven Days after ; and declare ( upon Oath , if required ) the full price the said Horse or Horses , &c. cost ; and upon default to forfeit to His Majesty , with encouragement to the Informer . XI . That any Horse , &c. which shall be transported out of England , and not the Dominions thereunto belonging , ( except for His Majesty's Service ) shall pay to His Majesty the sum of and upon default hereof to forfeit to His Majesty , with encouragement to the Informer . There can be no greater Objections made against this than the foregoing Proposals , especially , since it is not every Man's occasion to buy a Horse , &c. tho' he keeps some ; and the Poundage not being above two and an half per Cent. which is but little , may be easily paid ; and besides , I believe any Man who is about to buy a Horse , &c. that does not think it worth five Shillings more to him than what he is to give for it , will hardly venture to buy it . XII . It is further Proposed to This Honourable House , That there may be an Imposition or Duty laid on all sorts of Weights whatsoever , wherewith any kind of Thing ( be it what it will ) is bought onsold by : And also , That there be an Imposition or Duty laid on all sorts and sizes of Measures whatsoever , either liquid or otherwise , or in which Liquors are usually kept , or bought and sold by . XIII . That all Weights and Measures , as hereafter mentioned , or comprehended , be obliged to have a Seal , without which they shall not be Lawful ; and all Persons whatsoever , shall be obliged to give an account of all and every the several and particular Weights ( from a Grain and upwards , as far as Weights are made use of , either by Retail or Wholesale ) wherewith they buy or sell by : And also , an account of all and every the several and particular Measures , of what Sorts , or by what Names the same may be known or distinguished by ( whether Wine , or Winchester Measures , &c. from an half quartern and upwards , as far as the same are made use of , either by Retail or Whole-sale ) to proper Persons appointed for that purpose , at which time they shall pay their Money , and have all such Weights and Measures Sealed , which shall be Booked down in every particular by the said Officer or Officers aforementioned , in order to have the same Registred in the proper Office for that purpose . XIV . That all Persons whatsoever , who shall neglect to give an account particularly , of all Weights and Measures as above-mentioned , &c. or shall make use of any Weights or Measures that have not a distinct Seal ( according as the same shall be appointed ) in compliance with the intention of these Proposals , shall forfeit all and every such Weights and Measures he or they so presume to make use of ; and likewise to His Majesty , with encouragement to the Informer . XV. That all Weights made use of by Goldsmiths , or any other Persons who make use of the same sort of Weights , shall pay to His Majesty , for all and every Weight under an Ounce , the sum of one penny each ; and for all and every Weight heavier than an Ounce , the sum of two pence . XVI . That all other Weights not being the same with Goldsmiths Weights , with which any Person or Persons doth Buy or Sell by , shall pay to His Majesty the sum of one penny , for all and every Weight not exceeding ten Pounds ; and for all Weights upwards of ten Pounds the sum of two pence . XVII . That all Weights , as above mentioned , which remain in possession of the Maker , shall be Sealed before they are Sold , ( which may be done at the Office ) each Weight paying according to the Imposition or Duty above-mentioned . XVIII . That no Retail Trader whatsoever , shall be liable to pay more than eight Shillings per Annum , how many Weights soever he or they have . XIX . That no Retail Trader whatsoever , who makes use of any Weights to Buy or Sell by , shall pay less than four Shillings per Annum . XX. That all sorts of Measures , either Liquid or otherwise , shall pay according to their proportion , the following Imposition or Duty to His Majesty , in the same manner and form as is to be observed in the foregoing Imposition or Duty on Weights . XXI . That all sorts of Measures , either Liquid or otherwise ; and likewise , either Wine or Winchester Measures , &c. not exceeding the Gallon , shall pay to His Majesty , for each Measure , the sum of one penny . XXII . That all Measures , either Liquid or otherwise ; and likewise , either Wine or Winchester Measures , &c. with which any Thing whatsoever is Bought or Sold by , ( according as the same are made use of ) whether they are of Earth , Wood , or Metal , &c. and by what Name soever the same are called , as Peck , Bushel , Runlet , Kilderkin , Firkin , Barrel , Hogshead , Butt , Pipe , &c. or what use soever the same are put to , as Beer , Ale , Mum , Syder , Brandy , Strong Waters , or any sort of Wine , or other Liquors whatsoever , shall pay to His Majesty ( each particular here mentioned , or to be understood ) the sum of three pence . XXIII . That all Casks not being sizeable , ( and which are made use of in a wholesale Trade ) as Casks for Tobacco , Sugar , Currants , foreign Tallow , Sope , Sope-Ashes , &c. or any other foreign or domestick Goods , which are sold by wholesale and Cask'd up , shall be obliged to pay the sum of three pence per Cask , for all Casks so made use of , upon the penalty of forfeiting to His Majesty , with encouragement to the Informer . XXIV . That no Person or Persons whatsoever shall be exempted this Tax , except such as receive Alms of the Parish , or those who cry any thing about the Streets , who shall have a Certificate from the Church Wardens of the Parish they live in , in order to have their Weights and Measures Sealed without paying the Tax . XXV . That all large Casks which pay the Tax , and by which the wholesale Trader dealeth , shall be paid by the Person or Persons who have them in possession . XXVI . That all Persons who make use of any Measures for length , as Yards , Ells , &c. ( and by which they buy or sell ) shall be obliged to make use of no other Measures than such as hath paid the Tax and been Sealed ; and upon default , to forfeit to His Majesty , with encouragement to the Informer . XXVII . That all Measures for length , as Yards , Ells , &c. shall pay to His Majesty ( for each Measure mentioned , or to be understood ) the sum of three pence . XXVIII . That no Retail Traders whatsoever , shall be liable to pay more than eight Shillings per Annum how many Measures soever he or they have . XXIX . That no Retail Trader whatsoever , who maketh use of Measures to buy or sell by , shall pay less than four Shillings per Annum . XXX . That all Wholesale Traders , who make use of more Weights and Measures than will amount to eight Shillings per Annum ( according to the foregoing Assessment ) shall pay for the same proportionably to the number he or they have , except such Weights and Measures amount to above sixteen Shillings . XXXI . That no Traders whatsoever shall pay more than sixteen Shillings per Annum , altho they have ever so many Weights and Measures , except such Traders shall have occasion for new Measures , Casks or Weights ; and in such case , all new Measures , Casks or Weights , shall pay the full Duty or Imposition , according to these Proposals . XXXII . That there may be a certain limitation of Time for all Persons to give an account of their Weights and Measures ; and that after such Time , all Weights and Measures whatsoever , which are bought new , shall pay the full Duty ( over and above what any Person or Persons may have paid for the Annual Imposition ) according to the size of such Weights and Measures ; and whoever neglects to give an account in time , as aforesaid , ( or makes use of any Weights or Measures unsealed , after the expiration of the said time ) shall forfeit to His Majesty , with Encouragement to the Informer . XXXII . That all Tradesmen , who are Shopkeepers , or others , who Buy and Sell either by wholesale or retail ; or keep Warehouses , and have no occasion to make use of either Weights or Measures , shall pay to His Majesty the Sum of four Shillings per Annum , so long as the Imposition on Weights and Measures may be thought fit to be continu'd . XXXIII . That all Weights and Measures whatsoever ( which are not here mention'd ) provided the same are in any manner made use of in Buying and Selling ( of what sort soever they be ) shall be included in this Proposal ; and whoever endeavours to conceal or defraud His Majesty of all or any part of the Imposition or Duty on Weights and Measures , or any other part of the foregoing Proposals , shall forfeit to His Majesty , with encouragement to the Informer . XXXIV . That all Housekeepers shall be oblig'd to give an account what their Lodgers are ( if they have any ) in order that they may pay according to their several Assessments ; and he that neglects so to do , shall forfeit to His Majesty , with encouragement to the Informer . REASONS Humbly offer'd for the Imposition or Duty , &c. to be accepted by this Honourable House . 1st , THE Wholesale Trader cannot think himself much prejudic'd by this Tax , by reason of his great Dealings and the small Imposition or Duty propos'd ; which , in proportion , is so inconsiderable , that it will not be worth any particular Person 's notice : For there is not one wholesale Trader in ten , that will pay above eight Shillings per Annum ( and no one to pay above sixteen ) which , according to their Abilities , is very reasonable . 2dly , The Retailers , who generally return less Money than the wholesale Men , are more moderately Assessed , by reason there are hardly any who make use of Measures exceeding the Gallon , or Weights exceeding the ten Pounder ; whereby their part will be so small , that no particular Person will feel it . Yet Measures , as likewise Weights , being so generally made use of , will bring a large Sum of Money into the Treasury . So that the generality of Retailers , who make use of Weights or Measures , will not pay ( by moderate Computation ) above four Shillings per Annum , according to the quantity of Weights and Measures they have occasion to make use of . 3dly , The several Proposals aformention'd cannot raise any sort of Goods or Commodity whatsoever in the least , by reason no particular Trade is Taxed ; ( but that the same is laid on all sorts whatsoever ) and the Imposition or Duty is so small , that there can be no pretence for it . 4thly , The Imposition upon Shopkeepers , &c. who do not make use of Weights and Measures , is likewise so small , that the Shopkeepers aforesaid , &c. certainly cannot find fault with it , since they pay as little as any other Tradesmen whatsoever ; and are commonly as well able to pay as much . 5thly , The several particulars mention'd in these Proposals ( if thought fit to be accepted by this Honourable House ) may all of them be Collected by the same Officers all over England . For , 6thly , The Poll-Tax on Horses , &c. ( as propos'd ) may be Collected by Officers appointed in every particular Parish throughout the Kingdom . 7thly , The same Officers may readily Dispatch and Seal all Weights and Measures , and take a particular and exact Account thereof , and for whom ; which said Account shall be sent up ( or a Copy ) to some proper Person or Persons appointed for that purpose , to whom they shall send the Money by them received likewise , which may be forthwith Register'd at an Office , &c. 8thly , These Officers to be Housekeepers , or otherwise Residents in the Parish where they gather and collect the several Taxes as above propos'd ; or the same Officers may Collect for several Parishes , as is requisite or necessary . 9thly , The same Persons being Residents may attend all Fairs and Markets , who may likewise Register and give an Account of all Horses , &c. Bought and Sold , as the same shall occur . 10thly , 'T is humbly suppos'd the foregoing Proposals will ( if worthy Acceptance ) bring into His Majesty's Treasury the first Year , by Computation , at least two hundred and fifty thousand Pounds ; and two hundred thousand Pounds per Annum so long as the same may be continu'd . There can be no great certainty how much more Money this Tax will raise ( but the number of Tradesmen who will be oblig'd to pay to it , are so great , that it may be suppos'd , a far larger Sum will be brought into His Majesty's Exchequer ) by reason the Majority of the People of England will pay something . But how many there are to pay , or how much each Person will be Assessed , must , at present , remain uncertain , by reason there have not been Precedents in this nature to give a true Information . So that after Your Honours have , in Your great Wisdom , maturely considered the foregoing Proposals in their several and particular Circumstances , I hope , Your Honours will pass a favourable construction on the endeavours of Your Proposer , ( who entirely aims at the Service of His Majesty and His Kingdom , by offering that , which Your Honours , in Your great Wisdom , I hope , will Judge serviceable to the Nation at this juncture ; and not burthensome to the Subjects thereunto belonging ) and according to the Merits of his Service , he humbly begs You will grant him the encouragement he may deserve , &c. John Smith .